George Mason Memorial

Your Guide

The memorial is quietly situated SW of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. A slightly larger than life George Mason rests contemplatively on a bench with his legs crossed – backed by a series of quotations about his role in our history and in the creation of the Bill of Rights. The memorial was adapted to its site, which was once a national garden and has incorporated a historic fountain. Like other memorials, inscriptions carved into stone emphasize core ideas and values of our democracy.

History:

The site was designed as a Victorian garden in the late 19th century, and redesigned as the Pansy Garden in 1929. It was also one of the four national gardens established by the McMillan Commission in 1902.

The George Mason Memorial was authorized in 1990.

Commemorating the “forgotten Founder,” the memorial was built between 2000 and 2002.

A Historic Garden Site

The product of extensive historical research, the design of landscape architect Faye Harwell, FASLA, Oehme Van Sweden, is intended to reflect the site’s history as a Victorian garden as well as George Mason’s love of gardens.

Image: National Park Service

Remaining National Garden

The site represents the only remaining national garden established by the McMillan Commission in 1902. The other three gardens were cleared for the construction of the 14th Street Bridge in 1962.

Image: National Park Service

Resting Informally

The circular garden site features a slightly larger than life bronze and steel sculpture of Mason informally seated on a stone bench under a trellis near marble walls.

Image: American Society of Landscape Architects

Balanced by Pergola Columns

The statue is set to the side but balanced by the pergola columns and inscriptions.

Image: National Park Service

Marble Bench

George Mason rests on a marble bench.

Image: American Society of Landscape Architects

George Mason

Close-up of George Mason's head.

Image: National Park Service

Statue Details

Details of the bronze statue.

Image: National Park Service

Magnolia Blossoms

Forsythia and magnolias surrounding the site bloom before the nearby Tidal Basin’s famous cherry trees, and the garden highlights seasonal perennials.

Image: National Park Service

Quotations on the Walls

Quotations about George Mason are on stone walls on either side of the statue.

Image: National Park Service

Inscriptions

Closeup of an inscription - the National Mall has a great many inscriptions that identify American values and ideals.

Image: National Park Service

A Description of the Memorial

Plaque in the paving describes the memorial and its creators.

Image: National Park Service

Comments

David KnightJuly 22, 2013 1:16 AM

I loved the Mason memorial when I visited several years ago. Where might I find the inscriptions from the site, they were very good? Thank you. David